Mississippi – AMB Blog Tour -- Giveaway

I am honored to be a part of the AMB blog tour representing Mississippi.

One of my first thoughts about joining the blog tour for AMB was to find pictures of actual Mississippi license plates. I liked how this plate represented Mississippi’s forestry with the pine trees, the coast with the water at the bottom of the plate, and the magnolia, the state flower.

So I proceeded to make a trial block and ended up with this, “Go Mississippi.” You can see my process HERE.

Then I simplified the block and made “Go Mississippi II” using the AMB fabrics.

I wanted to try a third block, something completely different. Different colors and different style. So I used this license plate for inspiration.

I still liked the idea of using the pines, magnolia, and coast line but I liked the periwinkle background to this plate. So …. here is

“Go Mississippi III”

And did you know that AMB solids are made here in the USA? Maybe some of that cotton that we grew on our farm, that was ginned locally (Scroll down on that link to see the gin.) went into my own quilt block!

Mississippi has some interesting sites to see and things to do.
Explore the Natchez Trace – A Unique Journey from Natchez to Nashville.
The Tupelo Automobile Museum has the largest selection of classic cars east of the Mississippi River.
The Dentzel Carousel in Meridian brings back memories of days gone by.
Spring Pilgrimages in Natchez, Aberdeen, Holly Springs,  and of course Columbus where I get to volunteer with hand quilting.

This giveaway is now closed.

Clothworks is giving away a fat quarter bundle of 8 of their AMB solids to one lucky winner. And I’m giving away 7”X7” squares of my left over AMB fabric to another winner. To enter the giveaway leave a comment on this post letting us know why you would like to visit Mississippi. And if that reason is to come visit me, then “come on!”

This giveaway will be open until June 8 at 9:00 p.m. CDT to US addresses only. Then we’ll choose two winners with Mr. Random Generator.

You can download my free
Go Mississippi III – Instructions

   

Memorial Day Picnic at Lowell Mullets

Volleyball is an all time favorite. Can you find the ball?

After the little children had fun with “corn hole” …

… the big boys got to play.

These boys are not twins, brothers, or even first cousins. Darren’s mom is a double first cousin to Craig’s dad.

It’s got to be funny.

This great hill provided lots of fun for the children.

Melanie is ready to catch that football.

The pork chops, tenderloin, and ribs were delicious.

And then there was lots and lots of visiting.

Monument Valley – Mile 13

Life …

A tractor in the making.

… as a Quilter

I am thrilled that Monument Valley – Mile 13 won a third place ribbon at NQA’s  45th Annual Quilt Show in Columbus, OH.

Life … as a Quilter

Life …

The wheat is already turning a golden brown.

I stopped for a short visit to see Paul’s folks on her birthday. They were trying to find the reason their martins were acting so funny!

Paul needed a ride from the field back to the house, so I picked him up.

Paul built this Fisher Classic many years ago.

Craig takes the Leagle Eagle up for a fly.

Joel said this was his best birthday party yet!

Ashton thinks Dustin will enjoy these tractor pictures in the card he is making.

… as a Quilter

My sister Emily gave me this panel and I’m making strata to go with it in preparation for a kaleidoscope class in Jackson.

Linda D. came one afternoon and helped me decide on the placement of the colored strips for my strata and ironed some too.

Quilt -- 2 for 1 Hula Lessons

Back in April I took a class, 2 for 1 Hula Lesson  with Stacy Michell in Paducah.

Now that I have my class samples heavily quilted I'm wondering about the binding. I usually go with a 2" strip from the bias, folded in half length wise, sewn to the front and hand stitched to the back.

These pieces measure close to 19" square.

What color of binding should I use? Or should I consider an alternate method of finishing? And if so, what?

Fiesta Fireworks–2014 Blogger’s Quilt Festival

 I’m joining the Spring 2014 Blogger’s Quilt Festival sponsored by Amy’s Creative Side.

Twice a year we get to enjoy an online quilt show from our own home hosted by Amy.

I have picked “Fiesta Fireworks” for my entry this time.

It has a woeful tale of not meeting the requirements of the challenge it was created for. I should have paid more attention to the fine print. You can read about it HERE and HERE.

It was made to be a quilt of “Celebration.”

“Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord and joyfully celebrate His mighty acts, for great is the glory of the Lord.” –Psalm 138:5 (Amplified Bible)

And I just learned this week that it has been juried into the AQS Quilt Show in Charlotte, SC.

Yes! Let’s celebrate!

Fiesta Fireworks
Dimensions: 39”X41”
Materials: cotton, tulle with glitter, cotton and polyester thread
Techniques: piecing of some of the blades, fusing, applique
Free motion quilted on a home sewing machine.
Category: Art Quilts

Mississippi License Plate – Go Mississippi II

This is my 2nd Mississippi license plate quilt.

Remember how I said I want to simplify, yes, simply the first one?

The biggest noticeable difference is two pine trees instead of four.

And this time I used the American Made Brand cotton fabric.

The AMB blog tour will start Monday, May 19. I hope you will follow along and visit two states a day. My day will be May 30 along with Indiana. You will have to wait until then to see my “real” Mississippi tag block for AMB. You can see the schedule HERE.

But for now, here is how I made

Go Mississippi II.

I paper pieced the pines.

I added the blank center fabric and …

… and the strips of water at the bottom.

I resized and printed out the “Mississippi” logo and then traced around the letters onto the fabric with a textile marker. (And yes, I’m left handed.)

For the magnolia flower, I drew, cut out, and fused the petals and leaves together …

… and ironed them to the background.

Then I outlined the flower with a permanent craft pen.

Next I layered the top, batting, and back and began quilting. I left the background behind the letters unquilted because I was undecided how to make it look good.

After working with a sample, I decided to quilt right through the letters and then use my textile marker to blacken the thread over the letters.

Now it’s all finished!

Go Mississippi II – $60

Detail

Dimensions: 12 1/4” X 6 1/4”
Material: AMB cotton solids, King Tut cotton, Rainbows, and other thread, unknown batting and backing
Finished with “Fast Finished Triangles” and is ready for hanging.

The back

And you have until 5:00 p.m. PST, May 16, 2014 to enter my fabric giveaway HERE.